Recovery Matters

Effects Of Alcohol Abuse

Effects Of Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol gets transported through the stomach and small intestine into the blood stream. Circulation causes the alcohol to spread through all parts of the body. The alcohol reaches the brain after about 10 minutes. With a full stomach, the intake of alcohol takes a little bit longer than on an empty stomach. Alcohol numbs your brain. This is due to the effect that alcohol has on the transmission of signals in the nerves and brain.

Because of this anaesthetic certain inhibitions disappear from the drinker. The drinker feels relaxed. Alcohol can also make someone very aggressive, depressed or anxious. The more a person consumes, the stronger the effect.

Effects of alcohol abuse by glass of alcohol consumed:

1-3 glasses (0 to 0.5 ml) relaxed, uninhibited, cheerful

3-7 glasses (0.5 to 1.5 per thousand) tipsy

7-15 glasses (1.5 to 3 per thousand) drunk

15-20 glass (3 to 4 per thousand) totally inebriated

+ 20 to 25 glasses (4 per thousand and above) pass out

Effects of alcohol abuse on the organs:

Alcohol may cause long-term effects on the following organs:

Brains

Liver

Stomach

Cardiovascular

The Brain and Alcohol Abuse
After drinking 1 to 2 glasses of alcohol the brain is working less than normal. If you drink for a long time, averaging more than 25 glasses of alcoholic drinks per week, you run the risk of brain damage. Your memory is decreasing, you think slower, you are less creative, you adapt poorly to new situations. The brain doesn’t work as good and the volume of the brain may shrink up to 15% in excessive drinkers. Heavy drinking, combined with a lack of vitamin B1, can lead to irreversible brain damages. The most serious form is Korsakoff syndrome.

Alcohol Abuse on the Liver
Alcohol is a toxic substance that needs to be broken down in the body. This degradation process occurs in the liver. With excessive alcohol abuse, the degradation disrupts the function of the liver.

After consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time, you get a fatty liver (accumulation of fat in the liver). The liver may swell. The effects of alcohol abuse on the liver may include pain, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting and sometimes jaundice occurs. The liver will recover when drinking is stopped.

The effects of alcohol abuse over years can lead to liver cirrhosis: destroyed liver cells and scarring in the liver and the liver eventually stops functioning. Cirrhosis is a fatal disease.

Stomach
The inside of the stomach lining is coated. The function of this lining is to protect the stomach lining against gastric acid. Excessive alcohol consumption can damage the mucous membrane and nasty diseases can be the result.

The effects of alcohol abuse on the stomach include stomach splints or an ulcer.

However, drinking no-more than 1 to 2 glasses per day show a protective effect on the heart and blood vessels. This beneficial effect is only for healthy men and women over the age of 40.

Exercise, healthy eating and not smoking are a far better way to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Alcohol Abuse & Cancer
The risk of cancer of the mouth and pharynx, larynx and oesophagus is increased by drinking more than three glasses of alcohol per day. Women, who have more than 2 glasses of alcohol a day, have an increased risk of breast cancer. Heavy drinkers also have the potential for cancer of the liver and colon.

The effects of alcohol abuse are far reaching. Getting help as soon as possible will decrease the risk of liver cancer significantly.

Houghton House holistic alcoholic treatment center is located in Randburg, Gauteng. The treatment centers specialise in alcoholic recovery cases and have been treating patients suffering from drinking problems for the past twenty years.

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Houghton House Drug & Alcohol Addiction Recovery & Rehabilitation Centre is the best private alcohol and drug rehab centre located in Randburg Gauteng in South Africa. Our Minnesota Model of holistic treatment offers personalised drug and alcohol recovery solutions for individuals suffering from drug addictions and alcohol addictions. Houghton House Alcohol & Drug Rehab offers expert, professional treatment for substance abuse and addictions to food, sex and gambling. The road to recovery is difficult in even the best rehab in JHB, but we have a high success rate and we can definitely help you and your family.